Early jitters: May rains shed light on Delhi's poor preparedness for monsoon

A sudden spell of heavy rainfall early Friday morning exposed major gaps in Delhi’s monsoon preparedness, as waterlogging crippled movement across the city and left both infrastructure and civic agencies scrambling to respond.

Trouble spots—familiar to many residents—such as Dhaula Kuan, Lajpat Nagar, Mundka, Ring Road, and New Friends Colony were once again inundated, leading to massive traffic snarls, reported ToI.

The rainfall overwhelmed low-lying areas and highlighted chronic issues such as clogged drains, sewer backflow, and incomplete desilting operations. The Public Works Department (PWD) reported attending to complaints from over 150 locations, including Minto Bridge, ITO, Chirag Delhi flyover, IIT flyover, Maharani Bagh, and Satya Niketan. According to officials, 80% of the waterlogging was cleared within 20 minutes, and the situation was brought under control within four hours.

However, Minto Bridge—infamous for submerging during rain—once again went under. PWD minister Parvesh Verma, who visited the spot, said, "From 5.30am, I visited many sites and took stock of the situation. At Minto Bridge, I saw that all four pumps were working and the operator was also alert. A pipe had burst and I directed its repair it. PWD, MCD, DJB, NDMC and irrigation & flood control department are clearing the drains of silt in preparation for the monsoons."

Civic bodies struggle with drainage, complaints pour in
Despite claims of rapid response, multiple underpasses—Kishanganj, Bhairon Marg, Azadpur, and Jwalaheri—remained waterlogged, throwing traffic into chaos. In some areas, poor drainage combined with geographical disadvantages made matters worse. Roads like Avtar Singh Marg, Burari Road, Panchkuian Road, and Rani Jhansi Road were submerged under rainwater.

The drainage infrastructure at locations such as Qutub Road, Chelmsford Road, and Filmistan also faltered. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officials said they received 16 complaints of waterlogging from areas including Vasant Vihar, Defence Colony, and Shastri Bagh. "Staff were immediately deployed and the problems resolved quickly," said an MCD official.

Locals across the city took to social media to express frustration.

Geetanjali Nigam from South Extension II posted on X, "Even the main road connecting with AIIMS was heavily waterlogged." Sunil Kumar Singh highlighted problems on major arterial routes: "It's shameful and a matter of concern for Delhi people and govt of Delhi. Waterlogging on Ring Road flyover leading to the airport, which is at an elevation of almost 6 metres above ground level, shows complete ignorance of the authorities concerned. May God save us!"

In East Delhi, complaints emerged from Anand Vihar and Patparganj. BJP MLA Ravindra Singh Negi, who represents Patparganj, took a swipe at AAP, stating, "They were in power for 12 years, we, only for 65 days. But in these 65 days, we began the work of cleaning the drains. We will not sit at home like AAP did."

Political blame game
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted inspections at Majnu ka Tila and neighbouring areas and expressed concern over the situation.

Posting on X, she wrote, "Delhi is in a very bad state and needs urgent improvement. It is an alarming situation, and all departments and agencies must take today's rain as a warning to begin addressing areas prone to waterlogging." Gupta also blamed the previous government for the state of infrastructure, calling it an inherited "mess."

Meanwhile, NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal pointed to improved outcomes in some parts of the city.

"This time, traffic was smooth on Africa Avenue Road. Four pumps are running, and we are pumping out all the water. We have also cleaned the sewer lines," he said, adding that NDMC received 61 complaints—25 of them for fallen trees or branches, and 12 related to waterlogging.

(With inputs from ToI)